I feel very sad whenever I see certain happenings rearing their ugly heads across the country especially since the return of civil rule on May 29, 1999.It becomes more pathetic and saddening that even under the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration, some developments are unfolding which indicate that for Nigeria to get to the Promised Land despite attaining political independence 51 years ago, may continue to be a mirage.For instance, why is it that there continues to be a yawning gap between the rich and the poor in our beloved country' Why is it that the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged is continuously widening' Why is it that there continues to be a rising gap between the highly placed and the downtrodden across the country' Why is it that the few in the corridors of power at various levels have continued to make life unbearable and highly unlivable for the increasing number of the undernourished, battered, neglected and impoverished across the country'Why is it that members of the cabal have continued to amass wealth thereby corruptly enriching themselves with the vast resources belonging to the entire country while the majority are continuously left to wallow in abject poverty'For instance, it is sickening and worrisome that even the Judiciary which is expected to be the last hope of the common man, is now stinking of high-profile corruption. justice now goes to the highest bidder in the land. The common man's hope that he can get justice, in spite of government's high-sounding commitment to the rule of law has since been dashed. Hope has since metamorphosed into hopelessness.This explains why many Nigerians have since lost hope in the anti-graft agency called Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Like the judiciary, it is as if the EFCC has different procedures for prosecuting different classes of Nigerians. Which makes me for instance to believe very strongly that this is why the EFCC has been dragging its feet unnecessarily over the urgent need to arrest and prosecute some notable past and present public office holders who have continuously been alleged to have been involved in high-profile corruption at one time or the other.There is no doubt that the way the EFCC is currently going about its operations shows there are some untouchables that cannot be arrested or prosecuted in spite of the stunning allegations already levelled against them.Under the regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was accused variously by concerned Nigerians that those he prosecuted were persons perceived to be the former president's political enemies, as well as those that were not in his (Obasanjo's) good books. Ribadu was accused of conducting EFCC's affairs selectively.While Obasanjo was still in office and Ribadu was still the EFCC boss, none of the documents forwarded to him by concerned Nigerians in connection with corruption allegations against Obasanjo was accorded attention.But when Mrs. Farida Waziri came on board three years ago, many Nigerians had thought the ugly incidents that occurred under Ribadu would be urgently addressed to ensure the generality of Nigerians have confidence in EFCC and its leadership. Unfortunately, such hopes have been dashed. For instance, the EFCC is yet to arrest Obasanjo for prosecution in spite of the growing demand across the country.It would be recalled that shortly after resuming work, Waziri claimed that she never saw the documents forwarded to the EFCC over Obasanjo when Ribadu was in office. This was why some individuals and civil society activists again forwarded another set of documents to the EFCC concerning the allegations levelled against Obasanjo.As usual, the EFCC has kept mute over the all-important but disturbing issue agitating the minds of many Nigerians. EFCC's failure in this regard shows it is a toothless bulldog and impartial anti-graft agency. This has emboldened Obasanjo who even said sometime ago during one of his foreign trips that the Jonathan administration cannot fight corruption. What an insult'Many strongly believe that Otunba Gbenga Daniel's on-going travail which is politically motivated, is largely due to the fact that he is a notable political enemy of Obasanjo.And so, for how long will the EFCC shy away from arresting the person haunting others in spite of the fact that serious allegations of corruption, especially those connected with the power sector running into billions of naira, the N17 billion failed contracts scam in teaching hospitals, amongst others, are dangling over his head like the Sword of Damocle' Or does EFCC want the rest of us to believe that Obasanjo has two heads and is therefore untouchable as against those the agency has arrested for prosecution over alleged corrupt practices'Ismaila Abubakar,Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
Click here to read full news..
